Berbice Cricket Officials express delight at Brandon Bess’ elevation to Test Cricket

The cricketing public of Berbice has reacted with total elation and satisfaction at the elevation of Blairmont and Berbice cricketer Brandon Bess to Test Cricket.
Bess became the 14th Berbician to play Test Cricket when he made his debut against South Africa in Barbados yesterday.
Many of his teammates and cricket officials in Berbice are of the view that his selection represents the rapid development of cricket in the Ancient County and could be the start of another remarkable period in the County’s history to rival the 1950’s when Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon and Ivan Madray represented the West Indies.
Brandon Bess and Narsingh Deonarine is the first Berbician pair to play together in a Test match since 1978/1979 when Alvin Kallicharran and Sew Shivnarine played in India.
President of the Berbice Cricket Board Keith Foster could not conceal his elation at the news of Bess’ Test debut, hailing his elevation as another milestone in the long and successful history of Berbice Cricket.
Foster who became the acting head of the Berbice Cricket Board in 2008, and was elected President in early 2009 stated that he was pleased to know that the County was still producing Test players and noted that four Berbicians in the last 18 months have represented the West Indies at either the Test of ODI level.   This, the President stated was an indication of the high standard of the game in Berbice. Senior Cricket Coach Adrian Amsterdam who is responsible for Bess’ home club, Blairmont, was elated that to learn of his student’s Test debut noting that it was one of the best days of his life.
Amsterdam who coached Bess from his Under-15 days stated that it was just rewarding for all the hours spent working on his game and called on him to take full advantage of his opportunity.
Long serving cricket administrator and Bess’s national cricket manager Carl Moore said that he was very proud of the young fast bowler who has proven that hard work does pay off.
Moore also said that Bess has shown that it does not matter where one came from once you have the determination to reach the stars it can be achieved. He also said he hopes that Bess would use the achievement to inspire himself to become one of the leading pacers in the cricketing world.
Public Relations Officer of the Berbice Cricket Board and Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Hilbert Foster expressed his happiness and disclosed that news like Bess’ Test debut inspires administrators to work harder. Foster stated that there can be no doubt that cricket in Berbice was at an all time high and expressed the hope that the selection of Bess would inspire all young fast bowlers in the Ancient County that despite slow pitches they can still be successful like Bess if they are prepared to work hard.
Anil Beharry, Treasurer of the Board classified Bess’ selection as one of the best days of his life as a cricket administrator saying that it was a joy to see that the hard work of the board was getting the desired results.  Vemen Walter of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club and Human Resources Manager of the East Berbice Estate noted that for Berbice to have two test players in the West Indies Team for three decades was a major achievement.
Walter, whose club has produced three test cricketers – Sew Shivnarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Narsingh Deonarine expressed the hope that Bess understands that this was just the start and to be successful he has to be prepared to work harder.  All of Bess’ Berbice senior teammates especially national players Royston Crandon, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Esuan Crandon and Devendra Bishoo all expressed congrats to him.